In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, Happy ever after
Happy ever after? We all know This is consigned to fairy tales Why In this century Are we still driven by greed To war?
Happy Ever After
Daily Prompt
None
By Scott Bailey © 2017
None can understand me
Our inner teen cries
And so the world hurls
And churns
On and on and on
Scott’s Daily Prompt 26/02/2022
Today’s prompt is. Happily ever after
“And they lived happily ever after.” Think about this line for a few minutes. Are you living happily ever after? If not, what will it take for you to get there?
Scott’s Daily Prompt 25/02/2022
Today’s prompt is. Cliché
Clichés become clichés for a reason. Tell us about the last time a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush for you.
15 Years
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, Buffalo Nickel
I found a coin
From 2007
I was newly married
Brown was a new PM
Helicopters and coaches crashed
Here and there
I started a new job
We were still in Europe
We didn’t know the joys
And the horrors to come
In the next 15 years
By the end of the next 15
I should be retired
What will happen between now
And then
What were you doing in 2007?
Scott’s Daily Prompt 24/02/2022
Today’s prompt is. Buffalo nickel
Dig through your couch cushions, your purse, or the floor of your car and look at the year printed on the first coin you find. What were you doing that year?
B+
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, B+
B+
Be true
Be you
But be more
Scott’s Daily Prompt 23/02/2022
Today’s prompt is. B+
Write about what you did last weekend as though you’re a music critic reviewing a new album.
Seconds
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, Seconds
Where is our time
The hours saved in the kitchen
The days saved by the robots
The weeks shaved by the ones and zeros
It was all supposed to save us time
Instead
We have seconds
Left to think
Before consumption
Calls again
Scott’s Daily Prompt 22/02/2022
Today’s prompt is. Seconds
Describe the most satisfying meal you’ve ever eaten, in glorious detail.
Undo
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, Undo
We all have those memories
That make us cringe
Those times
We wish we could undo
But if we did
We would not have those memories
To make us cringe
And warn us
Not to do it again
So
We would do worse
Scott’s Daily Prompt 21/02/2022
Today’s prompt is. Undo
If you could un-invent something, what would it be? Discuss why, potential repercussions, or a possible alternative.
Plot of Earth
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, Plot of Earth
Selective isolation
That would be my goal
Off the grid
Powered by the sun and wind and tide
Food from the earth
Room for friends to visit
And children to play
Security
Not much to ask
Why is it so distant
For so many
Scott’s Daily Prompt 20/02/2022
Today’s prompt is. A plot of earth
You’re given a plot of land and have the financial resources to do what you please. What’s the plan?
Nightmare
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, Nightmares
I dreamt
I was living in poverty
My home was gone
My family replaced
My life controlled
A nightmare
Or a plan
By darker forces
Masquerading as leaders
Scott’s Daily Prompt 19/02/2022
Today’s prompt is. Nightmares
Describe the last nightmare you remember having. What do you think it meant?
Far From Normal
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, Far From Normal.
Far from normal
Our family is
Like many others
Far from normal
But then
That is normal
The drive for conformity
From the media that surrounds us
Is abnormal
There is no normal
Scott’s Daily Prompt 18/02/2022
Today’s prompt is. Far from normal
Many of us think of our lives as boringly normal, while others live the high life. Take a step back, and take a look at your life as an outsider might. Now, tell us at least six unique, exciting, or just plain odd things about yourself.
The Swan
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, Mentors
The Swan glided by
Remembering
Its days as a cygnet
Mesmerised by its mentors
Now it knew
Their lessons were empty
Now he chose
His mentors more wisely
Sir Richard Francis Burton
By Scott Bailey
If ever you are looking for a good and somewhat different biography to read them try Burton: A Biography of Sir Richard Francis Burton by Byron Farwell.
I am not one for biographies myself – I only read this one due to the fact that he was featured in one of my favourite old time Science Fiction series – the Riverworld books by Philip Jose Farmer. A series where every single person who ever lived is resurrected on one world all at once – just a fantastic premise in itself.
Farmer uses Burton as the main character of the first book (and others later on.) He writes him with such passion and paints him in such an interesting way that you can’t help but find out more about him.
So I delved into this biography. Farmer had only painted a small part of his life!
Sir Richard Francis Burton, in reality, was – complicated.
He was a man of extremes. In many ways, he was extremely admirable. On other extremely reprehensible! Unforgivably so.
He achieved more in his lifetime than many of us could on six, seven, eight lifetimes! But is beliefs were bigoted and selfish, to say the least.
For example:
He was an avid supporter of slavery! He believed women’s places were in the home or the bed! He was vehemently anti-semitic and wrote several books that still cause controversy today!
You could argue he was a product of his time but he was an intelligent man and there were plenty of contemporaries who were seeing past the constraints of their society and challenging the established views.
He was a womaniser – had affairs, frequented brothels. He was a brawler – fought at the drop of a hat earning him the nickname Ruffian Dick. He disregarded authority of all kinds and went his own way, expelled from University and often AWOL from his army career.
However:
On the flip side.
He was one of the foremost fencers of the time inventing some new moves.
He was a masterful linguist – he was fluent in 24 languages – and in many of the different dialects of them. So much so he could pass himself off as a local in many places. He learnt much of it from prostitutes!
He was a master of disguise – not just in the fact he could dress up, makeup and talk like the locals. But that he understood them, he took the time to know their customs and etiquette, the foibles without which he would have been betrayed as an outsider. He immersed himself in their culture.
He made seven pilgrimages in his life. Studying and being accepted into various religions – understanding their teachings while not believing any of them.
He was the epitome of an explorer, making dangerous journey in strange lands, suffering illness and injury, going back for more and pressing on.
He explored and brought to light the many sexual practices from around the world. He brought much middle eastern and eastern culture to our consciousness. He brought us translations of the Thousand and One Nights, the Karma Sutra and the Perfumed Garden.
So as I said, complicated.
It brings up a problem we often have with heroes. We want them to be perfect. We want all those good qualities without the bad. But life is not like that – people are not like that.
We kind of know that – we try and accommodate it. Modern day fictional heroes have their flaws, they are dark and brooding and have emotional baggage. But nothing we can’t handle – nothing really reprehensible.
So it got me thinking. I have a real problem with Sir Richard Francis Burton. I admire what he achieved. I dislike what he was as a person. I certainly would not like not have known him personally.
And I see a reflection of modern men in this dilemma. I have written here about how men (and everyone in fact) are demonised in modern media. On the other side, we are brought up with a set of ideals about what a man should be what we should strive to be.
We end up with conflicting views – an ideal – heroic man to strive for, and the wretch the world tells us we are.
The conflict I feel when thinking about Richard Francis Burton is the conflict we feel about modern men – he is a kind of reflection of us.
We should, I think – start to accept our flaws more, try to improve and eliminate them, yes, but give ourselves a break. They are a part of us, a part of our nature. Nobody is perfect – natures abhors perfection as much as a vacuum. Perfection does not exist so let’s stop trying to achieve it.
Anyway, ramble over.
Scott’s Daily Prompt 17/02/2022
Today’s prompt is. Mentor
Have you ever had a mentor? What was the greatest lesson you learned from him or her?
The Clock
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, The Clock
I heard the car door slam and immediately looked at the clock. It had stopped
6.20am 18th February, I awoke to the truth. It was cold. The war was ongoing – would never stop.
But I did not care.
Best I can manage today – I am feeling so ill.
Scott’s Daily Prompt 16/02/2022
Today’s prompt is. The clock
Write about anything you’d like. Somewhere in your post, include the sentence, “I heard the car door slam, and immediately looked at the clock.”
Pride
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, Proud
I have been proud Recently My colleagues, friends, loved ones Told me Well done I swelled Ah I am easily led To that fall
Scott’s Daily Prompt 15/02/2022
Today’s prompt is. Proud
When was the last time someone told you they were proud of you?
Ode to my Wife
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, Cupid’s Arrow
Through glass doors, I saw your eyes They struck me that very first time And as you waited, I felt surprise And bells began to chime I had been resigned until that day To accept a single life Now it seemed I must find a way To make this girl my wife I opened up those doors that day And let you in my life You sashayed by in your silky skirt More than my heart arose I wondered if would just be hurt If this road I chose History did not promise much My track record did not shine But your perfection I longed to touch Could it be that you’d be mine? To the smallest hope, I would clutch And revelled in your shine Your beauty, your smile they stole my heart I longed to hold you near To be your friend was a shaky start Al least I could be near Until that day we made took the leap We became more than friends Then my heart was forever deep With a love that never ends And though age and time forever creep This love still never ends Your ever happy shining heart Lights my life through every waking hour You are a living work of art A beauty like a flower You stir my lust, you stir my love You want to make me grow You are sunshine from above A perfect warming glow You are my hope bringing dove May your light forever flow
Scott’s Daily Prompt 14/02/2022
Today’s prompt is. Cupid’s arrow
It’s Valentine’s Day, so write an ode to someone or something you love. Bonus points for poetry!
The Politician’s Apology
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, Shoulda, coulda, woulda
Shoulda done more
Coulda done more
Would have done more
But
There was this
And there was that
We did our best
Under the circumstances
We did
Better than them
Better than we thought
So
We apologise
For the Earth we left you
We enjoyed it while we could
So now you can’t
Blind (Etheree)
By Scott Bailey © 2013
We
are blind
to the truth
Everyday
Suffering goes on
And we deny it all
Unable to find a way
Through the maze of our modern lives
To a place where we can be ourselves
And hold out that hand that helps our neighbour
Instead we clench our hand in a tight fist
Holding tight onto what we have gained
Not seeing what we are losing
What slips away from our grasp
Diminishing our souls
Focused on our goals
With such passion
That we are
simply
Blind
Scott’s Daily Prompt 13/02/2022
Today’s prompt is. Shoulda, woulda, coulda
Tell us about something you know you should do . . . but don’t.
I Write
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, All about you
I can’t contain my dreams So I write I can’t speak with eloquence So I write I cannot fly So I write I cannot stand and fight So I write I cannot remember So I write I cannot still my fears So I write There is so much to dream for So many arguments to win So much to fly from So much to fight against So many memories to cherish So much to fear So I write
Scott’s Daily Prompt 12/02/2022
Today’s prompt is. All about you
Explain why you chose your blog’s title and what it means to you.
Fragmented Memories
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, Whoa
Ballons in a duvet
An attack on the Martian Embassy
Women in bras jogging
In the moonlight
A car overturned
Sneaking through
The grounds on MI5
Wouldn’t you like to know….
Scott’s Daily Prompt 11/02/2022
Today’s prompt is. Whoa
What’s the most surreal experience you’ve ever had?
Schooldays
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, Teachable moment
I am not in the mood to write poetry tonight – or fiction. So this is just a ramble.
I have talked about this before in a previous prompt about teacher’s at school who made a difference. I think there is a method of teaching that works best (at least for me – but I think generally) but is rarely used.
At school we are taught that A + B equals C. We are taught that this happened. We are taught the rules to follow and that so and so did this then.
We are taught to remember these facts. Remember them long enough to pass a test. And then, for most of it, we never use that knowledge again and it is forgotten.
Pointless.
What I experienced very rarely was the teacher who taught us why. What this equals that. Why this has that effect. Why this word works better than that. And then you could extrapolate. They would teach you why and then ask you to work out the next step – which you could do now armed with the understanding of why.
In other words, they did not teach you to remember, they taught you to think! To work things out. Once you can do that, you can think for yourself and you never stop learning.
But while on the subject, I am growing more and more convinced that the whole school system is so out of date. This has been reinforced a few years ago now when we were looking for secondary schools for my eldest son.
We saw some horrors. For example, one school that lined up the kids and did uniform inspections, putting pupils that failed into immediate solitary!
When was the last time you had a job that required a uniform? When, in the few cases left where one is required, was the last time you saw someone disciplined for not having one?
This might seem a trivial point, talking about uniforms instead of curriculums etc, but I think it demonstrates the underlying problem.
We have a school system set that was set up in Victorian times. Its purpose was to churn out obedient employees to work as clerks in rigid office environments. And it still does that! It is trying to turn kids into adults fit for a world of work and a society that does now exist anymore.
And it’s worse than just that. They are largely teaching remembering, not thinking. Back in the Victorian days, maybe even up until relatively recently, that was enough. You just had to remember what you had been taught to do your job. And it worked.
But no longer. Now every job is ever-changing. Everyone’s career, in fact, everyone’s life has become lifelong learning! Skills are ever-shifting and you have to adapt.
Except, the kids are coming out of school not equipped to learn but to remember. I know – I was one of them. It took me years to work out, and then only because of the seeds from the one or two good teachers, that I could learn still. That I could think for myself and work things out. That I could do that without being taught by someone. I could find the knowledge myself.
And there is one last thing that really hammered it home to me.
Because of the pandemic, we have of course been doing a lot of homeschooling. This, in my eldest sons case, meant he was given the materials and framework of a lesson told what he was supposed to achieve – but of course did not have a teacher to ask or to watch over him.
If you think about how schools are set up, the very rules they run on, this surely should have failed.
My son coped well. He did not have to be told to work, he did it. But a strange thing happened.
Sometimes, he struggled with a problem or subject. Now at school, he would have to have persevered until the end of the lesson. He could have asked for help but if he had got that help (in large classes that’s not guaranteed), he would not really have remembered it as well, having not worked it out himself.
At home though, he took a different approach. One nobody taught him to do, but that he worked out for himself. One that I often use myself to great success.
He walked away from the problem. Nort for good – he is not Homer Simpson. What he did was switch to another lesson. Being unconfined by a timetable and having to be in a certain class at a certain time he could do this. And then, when he came back to the original lesson and came back to the problem he could handle it and it suddenly seemed simpler and he could solve it.
I have done exactly that many times. It has been proven to work. The theory being that you distract your conscious mind with something else and let the subconscious work it out – which it does much better.
Plus, you get that buzz from working it out yourself that ensures you remember it better than any number of repetitions.
This kind of learning approach is simply denied them at school by the structures in place there.
Surely, it is time for a complete rethink of the whole education system?
Scott’s Daily Prompt 10/02/2022
Today’s prompt is. Teachable moment
You have to learn a new skill. Do you prefer to read about it, watch someone else do it, hear someone describe it, or try it yourself?
Childhood
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, Childhood revisited
Don’t be so afraid child Fear will stifle you Fear will cage you in Nothing is as bad As you fear So live Smile And savour passion
Scott’s Daily Prompt 09/02/2022
Today’s prompt is. Childhood revisted
Sure, you turned out pretty good, but is there anything you wish had been different about your childhood? If you have kids, is there anything you wish were different for them?
Sins
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, Karma Chameleon
The sins I must have committed
To deserve my luck
I hope I enjoyed them
Scott’s Daily Prompt 08/02/2022
Today’s prompt is.
Karma chameleon
Reincarnation: do you believe in it?
Civilised
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, Right to Health
Can we call ourselves civilised? If we do not care For every last person Who needs it
The Siege of the Stupid
By Scott Bailey © 2017
We have handed over our passport
Battered down the hatches
In a siege of our own designing
Some feeling smug justification
Others wondering if they should have done more
All responsible
All of us
Remember this
Huddled behind our walls
When the hunger strikes
Scott’s Daily Prompt 07/02/2022
Today’s prompt is.
Right to health
Is access to medical care something that governments should provide, or is it better left to the private sector? Are there drawbacks to your choice?
The Choice
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, Choose your adventure
He paused, hand on the door handle. Did he really want to find out what lay beyond?
It was the fate of humanity. Opening the door would find it out. Everything had been prepared as best as his team could. Many sleepless nights, many meetings, many arguments.
Many friendships lost.
Much blood shed.
Would it all be worth it?
Now it came down to it he felt like delaying the moment of truth. Whatever lay ahead would not be real until he made it so by opening that door.
How long could he delay it?
He knew the answer to that. He could not delay it any further. The decision was not his any longer. The fate of humanity was not his any longer, just as it was no longer any man, woman or child’s.
The decision belonged to those beyond the door.
With a deep breath, he turned the handle to find out what they would decree.
So, as the prompt suggests, what’s next? Feel free to continue the story below.
Fortune
By Scott Bailey © 2017
Fortune favours the bold
Risk equals success
People stop seeing risk
And hand over their cash
Their time
Their labour
Their lives
The minority shine
The majority are mesmerised
While they fall
Scott’s Daily Prompt 06/02/2022
Today’s prompt is.
Choose your adventure
Write a story or post with an open ending, and let your readers invent the conclusion
Phone
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, Call me maybe
A phone
Is a clock
A calculator
A camera
A notebook
A console
A radio
A TV
A movie screen
A book
An encyclopedia
A chain
A cage
Territory
By Scott Bailey © 2017
Territory shrinks
As the walls rise again
And the drawbridge is raised
The world is smaller
The worst of times
From long ago
Are opium
Entertainment
Sleight of mind
Meanwhile
Terry the Tory
Sniggers behind
Fake pride
And cheap beer
Protest
Is the latest sport
Avarice
The virtue of power
Scott’s Daily Prompt 05/02/2022
Today’s prompt is.
Call me, maybe
Describe your relationship with your phone. Is it your lifeline, a buzzing nuisance, or something in between?
Changes
In response to Scott’s Daily Prompt, Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
Green and quiet With a gentle breeze Sunlight warming A cool drink Solitude Then I am ready
Scott Andrew Bailey - Author 